Overview
- Homeland Security says an off-duty Norfolk officer reported hearing the men on Nov. 17 discuss plans to kill police officers and ICE agents.
- Mark Bennett was arrested Nov. 19 at Norfolk International Airport while scheduled to travel to Las Vegas, and John Bennett was arrested the same day in Virginia Beach.
- Each faces a state charge of conspiracy to commit malicious wounding, and local reports say both were released on home confinement under pretrial supervision.
- Defense lawyers dispute the government’s narrative, calling the restaurant conversation hearsay and saying Mark Bennett planned to attend a Formula 1 event in Nevada.
- DHS public affairs chief Tricia McLaughlin called the allegations chilling and highlighted rising threats against ICE personnel, and the school district placed John Bennett on leave.